© courtesy of FIS

August 21, 2013 – Five alpine skiers and one cross-country skier announced their intention to run for election to the Athletes Commission of International Olympic Committee. Former Swiss downhill great Didier Cuche headlined the group, which was announced on August 16th. He is joined by: Austrian-born Kilian Albrecht of Bulgaria; Ana Jelusic of Croatia; Tanja Poutiainen of Finland; and Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic. One cross-country skier has also thrown his hat in the ring: Italy’s Pietro Piller-Cotter.

In total, nine candidates will compete for two available places that represent winter sports athletes on the IOC for an eight-year term. Canadian ice hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser, biathletes Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway and Darya Domracheva of Belarus are the other three hopefuls.

The election for the two available spots will be held during the 2014 Sochi Olympics where all athletes competing at the Games will be eligible to vote. The two winners will replace Canadian cross-country skier Beckie Scott and ice hockey player Saku Koivu of Finland.